CONSTANTINOPLE. 51 
the door of the mosque. Then each, in sue- chap. 
cession, as he passed the Superior, having < ^- < 
finished his bow, began to turn round, first 
slowly, but afterwards with such velocity, that 
his long garments flying out in the rotatory 
motion, the whole party appeared spinning like 
so many umbrellas upon their handles. As 
they began, their hands were disengaged from 
their shoulders, and raised gradually above their 
heads. At length, as the velocity of the whirl 
increased, they were all seen, with their arms 
extended horizontally, and their eyes closed, 
turning with inconceivable rapidity. The music, 
accompanied by voices, served to animate them; 
while a steady old fellow, in a green pelisse, 
continued to walk among them, with a fixed 
countenance, and expressing as much care and 
watchfulness as if his life would expire with 
the slightest failure in the ceremony. We 
noticed a method which they all observed in 
the exhibition ; it was that of turning one of 
their feet, with the toes as much inward as 
possible, at every whirl of the body, while the 
other foot kept its natural position. The elder 
of these Dervishes appeared to perform the task 
with so little labour or exertion, that, although 
their bodies were in violent agitation, their 
countenances resembled those of persons in an 
easy sleep. The younger part of the dancers 
